Just a few years ago, actors and actresses were thrilled to work with then-producer Harvey Weinstein. These days, his true colors are finally out in the open. After many women accused Harvey of sexual harassment and rape, Harvey was finally given a guilty verdict. It was a big deal for all of the women he hurt — and that includes Harvey Weinstein's ex, Georgina Chapman.
Harvey and Georgina were together for a long time. The two were married in 2007 and went on to have two children. Georgina is a prominent figure in the fashion industry. She's a designer who cofounded the women's clothing brand Marchesa. Founded in 2004, the brand often dresses top celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Anne Hathaway.
When news of Harvey's despicable acts first went public, people assumed that Georgina's business might tank due to the association. However, just the opposite is true. The fact that she openly stood behind the victims of her ex-husband made people realize that she, too, needed some support.
"My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions," Georgina said in a statement when the news was revealed. "I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time."
While Harvey was married with children prior to meeting Georgina, the couple have their own two children together — a daughter named India Pearl, who was born in 2010, and a son named Dashiell, who was born in 2013. Harvey's first wife, with whom he shares three daughters, is named Eve Chilton. She used to be his assistant.
After the allegations started, Georgina made a point not to make any dresses for the awards season. Some people felt as if this meant she'd be out of business. But instead, she wanted to try to pay respect to the women in the industry. It was her way of reaching out.
"We didn’t feel it was appropriate given the situation," she said to Vogue in 2018. "All the women who have been hurt deserve dignity and respect, so I want to give it the time it deserves. It’s a time for mourning, really." Since then, many actresses have reached out to her personally for pieces, showing she still has plenty of loyal followers.
Georgina was put in a tough position. She was married to — and had children with — the man who'd become the most hated person in Hollywood. Even worse, it's tough to feel as if you didn't know that the person you loved was truly a monster on the inside. For many women, it would make sense to just disappear from the spotlight.
But Georgina knew that she couldn't let Harvey control her career. "I was so humiliated and so broken … that … I, I, I … didn’t think it was respectful to go out," she said to Vogue. "I thought, Who am I to be parading around with all of this going on? It’s still so very, very raw. I was walking up the stairs the other day and I stopped; it was like all the air had been punched out of my lungs."
She did one of the best things she could. She enrolled in therapy, and she considered how the news would affect her children. "There was a part of me that was terribly naive — clearly, so naive," she admitted. "I have moments of rage, I have moments of confusion, I have moments of disbelief! And I have moments when I just cry for my children. What are their lives going to be."
Georgina has proved that she wasn't just Harvey's wife; she is a powerful woman with empathy and emotions — and a successful business. Based on her kindhearted soul, she's made friends with many. All of her contacts have been able to separate her from the awful acts of her husband.
"Georgina is very loved," a source told People magazine. "Many people very much care about her. She won’t be going through this alone. It was her decision to separate. For every day, it was an easier decision for her to make. She was very honest when she released the statement about how her heart breaks for all the women who have suffered. She can’t imagine their pain."
It's important to remember that Georgina literally had no idea that any of this happened. "I had what I thought was a very happy marriage," she said to Vogue. "I loved my life." To have it all fall apart — and feel so foolish — is a burden for anyone to bear. But she literally did everything right.
She knew that with acts so terrible, there was no way she could defend her husband — even before his fate was decided by a jury. She also knew to listen to women. All of those who accused Harvey of wrongdoing were tough to put their story out there, especially as he was such a powerful man in the industry.
But really, it just proves that Harvey was good at deceiving everyone — even the people he likely had some respect for, like Georgina. Harvey was officially found guilty of criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape during his New York City trial, which happened on February 24.
Georgina will need the love and support of others for quite some time. Even though she's in a great place, she was happily married to Harvey for 10 years without knowing what was truly going on. It also must be tough to explain the news to her kids, who likely aren't even old enough to fully grasp the situation.
As women, we need to support other women. Georgina did that beautifully by not hesitating to leave her husband once she learned the truth about him. And other women should look to support her. Like the other women who were hurt by Harvey throughout the years, Georgina is a survivor.
